The Calgary Roughnecks today announced the retirement of Geoff Snider from the National Lacrosse League.
“Geoff has been the ultimate competitor throughout his entire career,” said Roughnecks general manager Mike Board. “He always gave 100 per cent on the floor as a Roughneck and on the field representing Team Canada. Off the floor, Geoff has been an ambassador in the community for the Roughnecks organization and has worked extremely hard to grow the game of lacrosse in Calgary and across Alberta. His dedication to the sport at all levels is both genuine and passionate. As an organization we are fortunate to have had Geoff both on the floor and in the community. We want to thank Geoff for his commitment to the organization and wish him nothing but success in his future endeavours which, without doubt, will involve a continued support of the game of lacrosse.”
“I have always said they broke the mold regarding Geoff, they just don’t make them like that anymore,” added Roughnecks head coach and assistant general manager Curt Malawsky. “He is the fiercest competitor I have ever coached. He took nothing for granted and you got nothing but 100 per cent effort night in and night out. If there’s a guy you want to go to battle with, someone that will have your back and sacrifices himself for his team, it is Geoff. His skill set went far beyond the compete side. I don’t know many players better than Geoff in the faceoff circle or with their fists. His transition game and polish around the net were also a big part of his arsenal. The biggest thing I will remember about Geoff is his loyalty and commitment to the organization he represented, team he bled for and teammates he believed in. Those were the things that made Geoff the ultimate warrior. We are very proud he is retiring a Roughneck; it is where he belongs.”
Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Snider played five of his nine NLL seasons with the Roughnecks (2011-15) and finishes his career as the franchise leader in regular season faceoff wins (1,394), playoff faceoff wins (180), regular season loose balls (968) and playoff loose balls (124). Originally a 2001 first-round draft pick of the Vancouver Ravens, Snider chose to play collegiate ball with the University of Denver Pioneers and was once again eligible for the NLL Draft following graduation. In 2006, the Philadelphia Wings selected him in the first round, fourth overall.
During his career (2007-15) with Calgary and Philadelphia, the two-time NLL All-Star MVP (2008 & 2012) led the league in penalty minutes for three seasons and both faceoff wins and loose balls for six. In 147 regular season and post-season games, Snider has recorded 1,987 loose balls, 592 penalty minutes, 283 points (120 goals, 163 assists) and 75 caused turnovers. He leaves the NLL as the league’s all-time leader in regular season faceoff wins (2,468) and playoff faceoff wins (208). Named to five NLL All-Star games (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 & 2012), the NLL All-Rookie team (2007) and NLL All-Pro second team (2008), Snider holds three single-game league records: quickest goal to start a game (0:05) set on Jan. 26, 2008, most loose balls (32) achieved on Apr. 12, 2008, and most caused turnovers (9) recorded on Jan. 19, 2013. On the global stage, he has represented Canada three times at the Federation of International Lacrosse World Championship, twice as a player, capturing two gold medals (2006 & 2014) and an MVP title (2006), and once as an assistant coach with the 2010 silver-medal winning National Men’s Under-19 Field Lacrosse team.
“Having been given the opportunity to play lacrosse, the sport I love, the sport that has given me everything in the city I love, grew up in and call home, has been the biggest honour that I could ever receive,” said Snider. “I’m proud to have been a Roughneck and now to retire as one. I would like to thank my teammates, family and friends for investing in me as a person and athlete. Most importantly, I would like to thank Calgarians for believing in our sport and helping to solidify a foundation for young men and women to strive to be a part of something bigger than themselves. This game is a part of our city and although I won’t get to suit up again, I am proud to continue to help young student-athletes share in my passion of the game.”
In addition to his prolific NLL career, Snider is the founder and president of ELEV8 Lacrosse Inc., a diverse coaching organization that fosters student-athletes by providing the highest level of instruction for field and box lacrosse. He, along with younger brother Bob, have coached thousands of players in Calgary and surrounding area including helping 51 student-athletes secure collegiate opportunities and post-secondary scholarships. His community commitment extends beyond building a strong lacrosse foundation and sees him actively involved with numerous charitable groups including KidSport, Make-A-Wish Southern Alberta, Ronald McDonald House Charities Southern Alberta and Special Olympics.
